Dorothea

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Dorothea

Gender: Feminine
Language: English
Etymology:
Dorothea is a Latinized form of the English name Dorothy, the reverse form of Theodora, feminine form of Theodore. It originally meant “Gift of God” from “theos” (god) and “doran” (gift).

History:
Dorothea, or Dorothy first appeared in England the 15th century and became common in the 16th. Dorothea is the “Latinized” form of the name.

Please see Dorothy for more information.

Pronunciation: dore-oh-thee-ah.

Diminutives: Dodo, Dot, Dottie, Dora, Doretta, Dorette, Dodi, Dodie, Dody, Doll, Dolley, Dollie, Dolly.

Alternates: Dorethea.

Famous Bearers:
Artists and Authors:
Dorothy (Dorothea) Canfield Fisher (1879-1958)
American writer.
Dorothea Lange (1895-1965)
American photographer.
Dorothea Rockburne (1938-)
American artist.

Educators, Scholars, and Social Workers:
Dorothea Lynde Dix (1802-1887)
American educator and social reformer who worked for the mentally ill.

Miscellaneous:
Dorothea Lieven (1785-1857)
Russian noblewoman and Paris intellectual.

Royalty:
Sophia Dorothea of Celle (1666-1726)
Wife of George I of England.

Singers and Entertainers:
Dorothea Jordan (1761-1816)
Irish actress. A mistress of King William IV of England (while he was still Duke of Clarence), she bore him ten children.

Sports Stars:
Dorothea Chambers (1878-1960)
British tennis player.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.021 % named Dorothea

Popularity of Dorothea:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1850: 372nd most popular.
1875: 721st most popular.
1900-1910: 232nd most popular.
1910-1920: 189th most popular.
1920-1930: 226th most popular.
1930-1940: 332nd most popular.
1940-1950: 418th most popular.
1950-1960: 586th most popular.
1960-1970: 653rd most popular.
1970-2000: N/A